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Showing results for apprehensive. Search instead for apprehensive/2.
Definitions

apprehensive

[ap-ri-hen-siv] / ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv /
ADJECTIVE
anxious, fearful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight
WEAK
alarmed biting nails butterflies disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a cold sweat in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful running scared shaky stiff troubled weak worried worried sick
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable
WEAK
at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Just across the street at the Ali Bin Ali grocery store, a shopkeeper was more apprehensive as he arranged boxes of Iranian dates and nuts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

But for those of us who feel as if we’ve seen this movie before, it’s hard not to feel awfully apprehensive about how it all ends.

From Slate • Mar. 11, 2026

"It's long hours being a butcher and I'd like to spend time with my family. I'm a bit apprehensive, but it's the right thing to do."

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

Her apprehensive patient hits a breaking point nevertheless, frantically fleeing the exam room while Dana is procedurally required to remain.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

Nevertheless, he was starting to feel very apprehensive.

From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.